International Football History and Statistics

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On this day in football history

1931 Fred Keenor of Cardiff City and Wales signed for Crewe Alexandra as player-manager. As a schoolboy he had played in the first ever schools international against England in 1907 and first signed for Cardiff in 1911 turning professional in 1913. Entered League football with them in 1920 when they wer elected to the Second Division and his captaincy inspired them to the finest period in their history. Promotion in 1921, League runner-up in 1924 (a missed penalty cost them the title), beaten Cup finalists in 1925 and winners in 1927. As captain of Wales he led them to five International Championships and appeared for them 31 times between 1920 and 1933. In his first season with Crewe they finished sixth in Division Three North; one of their best ever seasons. In 1934 he left the League for Tunbridge Wells after 366 League games and 12 goals for Cardiff and 116 League matches with 5 goals for Crewe.

1960 Gil Merrick, former Birmingham City goalkeeper, was appointed manager of the club just a few weeks after retiring as a player. He had joined Birmingham in August 1939 and was established as their No 1 by the time peacetime soccer returned in 1946. He made 486 League appearances winning Second Division medals in 1948 and 1955. He played in the 1956 Cup Final which Birmingham lost 3-1 to Manchester City. Made his England debut in 1951 but was unlucky to be in the team during a transitional phase which saw Hungary become the first continental side to beat them at home when they lost 6-3 at Wembley in November 1953. He was also in the side which lost 7-1 to Hungary in Budapest eight months later. Was England's goalkeeper in the 1954 World Cup Finals in Swizerland but those matches proved to be the last of his 23 caps. Lost his job as manager in May 1964.

1960 Terry Bly, Norwich City centre-forward, joined League newcomers Peterborough United. In the following season he broke the post-war League scoring record with 52 goals. His career spanned four years with Norwich, two with Peterborough, one with Coventry and one with Notts County before he left the League to become player-manager with Grantham Town. His League record reads 141 goals in 205 matches.

1970 Brazil win the World Cup for the third time, beating Italy 4-1 in Mexico City. This provided three firsts: Mario Zagalo became the first person to play and manage a World Cup winning side. Pele (Edson Arantes Do Nascimento) became the first member of three World Cup winning sides. Italy's Roberto Boninsegna became the first World Cup Final goalscorer to be substituted.